Identification device for keys



Nov. 29, 1938.

Filed Seiot. s, 1937 Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application September 3, 1937, Serial No. 162,373

In Great Britain October 27, 1936 Claims.

This invention relates to identification devices for the keys of key-operated closures such as locks and has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive device for that purpose and in 5 particular for distinguishing one key from another in a bunch of similar keys carried on a key ring. The annoyance and waste of time incidental to selecting a particular key is a common experience among users of keys.

According to the present invention the device comprises essentially a plate or disc adapted to be,attached to or fit onto or over a key head and is formed with an aperture or apertures adapted to register wholly or in part with the ring hole in the key head so that a ring passed through the ring hole in the key head will also pass through the device.

The attachment of the device to the key head may be ensured in various ways as by making the device in the form of a cap adapted to be stretched or snapped into overlapping relation with the key head or in the form of a disc or plate adapted for snapping into overlapping relation with the key head.

For ease of identification a set of devices of any one pattern is preferably made up in different colors, but as a further aid a set of devices of the same general form may have slight structural differences such as differently embossed formations.

C ne particularly simple and efiective form of the device is constituted by a disc of substantiaiiy the same size as a key head and with a hole substantially registering with that in the key head, the disc of resilient material having a peripheral rim or flange having a slightly inturned edge so as to snap over the periphery of the key head, the said rim or flange being suitably gapped at one point to receive the neck of the key and allow the disc to lie snugly against a face of the key head.

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrate various embodiments.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a front view, a rear view, and a vertical cross section of a construction of device in the form of a snapga on disc.

Figures 4 and 5 are face views similar to Figure 1 but showing differentiating formations in the nature of embossed geometrical designs.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 but it showing a device for fitting to the oval head of an ordinary door key instead of a circular discshaped head.

In the constructions shown a suitable material for the manufacture of the device is celluloid or artificial resin, although clea'rly it may be made ofother material.

In Figures 1 to 5 the device is in the form of a single disc or cap l, and the curved wall 3 is a mere flange or rim with in-turned edge or lip 311 so that the disc can be snapped on to a key head.

Clearly the face or faces of the disc or discs may be plain or it may carry distinguishing marks such as embossed numbers, letters, geometrical flgures or the like as shown at 9 in w Figures 4 and 5.

Although the devices hitherto described by reference to the drawing have been adapted for .circular key heads it is obvious that they may be shaped for oval key heads as shown in Figure 6 or for other shaped key heads, such as cloverleaf heads.

In the constructions hitherto described the device is adapted not only for attachment to new keys of ordinary design but to existing keys, since no departure from standard key manufacture is required.

What I claim is:-

1. An identification device for a key consisting of a disc of resilient material shaped to lie close against a key'head, a peripheral flange having an in-turned edge extending around the periphery of said disc, whereby the device acts as a snap-on cap, and a part of the disc not provided with the flange accommodating the stem of the key to which the device is applied, said disc hav ing a hole therethrough registering with the usual hole in the key head.

2. An identification device for keys consisting of a single, thin, disc of light, resilient material shaped to lie close against a key head; an in tegral, continuous, annular, marginal flange on the disc and extending through approximately its entire periphery; and an integrally formed inturned edge on the flange, whereby the device may be snapped on to the head of a key, with the relatively spaced ends of the flange receiv ing the shank or stem of the key between them, said disc having a hole therethrough registering with the usual hole in the key head when inserted into the device.

3. An identification device for keys consisting of a single, thin, circular disc of light, resilient material shaped to lie close against a key head; an integral, continuous, annular, marginal flange on the disc and extending through approximately its entire periphery; and an integrally formed inturned edge on the flange, whereby the device may be snapped on to the head of the key, with the relatively spaced ends of the flange receiving the shank or stem of the key between them, said disc having a hole therethrough registering with the usual hole in the key head when inserted into the device.

4. An identification device for keys consisting of a single, thin, oval disc of light, resilient material shaped to lie close against a key head; an integral, continuous, annular, marginal flange on the disc and extending through approximately its entire periphery; and an integrally formed inturn edge on the flange, whereby the device may be snapped on to the head of a key, with the relatively spaced ends of the flange receiving the shank or stem of the key between them, said disc having a hole therethrough registering with the usual hole in the key head when inserted into the device.

5. An identification device for keys consisting of a single, thin, embossed disc of light, resilient material shaped to lie close against a key head; an integral, continuous,-annular, marginl flange on the disc and extending through approximately its entire periphery; and an integrally formed inturned edge on the flange, whereby the device may be snapped; on to the head of a key, with the relatively spaced ends of the flange receiving the shank or stem of the key between them, said disc having a hole therethrough registering with the usual, hole in the key head when inserted into the device.

JOHN TRAILL STEVENSON. 

